Agenda Index City of Vancouver

POLICY REPORT
URBAN STRUCTURE

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Co-management Principles - Major Road Network

 

RECOMMENDATION

CONSIDERATION

COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

Council has supported in principle the formation of the GVTA and its responsibilities for funding and governance of the transportation facilities, and specifically the establishment of a Major Road Network, including the Vancouver component of that network.

DISCUSSION

The previous report of January 12, 1999 set out the background, legislation, public process and guidelines for transportation funding and governance, with particular reference to the establishment of the Major Road Network under the Livable Region Strategic Plan. To clarify the respective roles of the municipalities and the GVTA, the report recommended a set of principles for co-management of the network.

At its meeting of February 4, 1999, the Planning and Environment Committee considered this report, and directed that the three Vancouver representatives on the GVTA Board meet with interested citizens, and staff, to discuss the Co-management Principles, for a report back to Council on February 16, 1999. This meeting was held on February 10, 1999, and a revised set of Principles was proposed. After further review and revisions, these Principles are attached as Appendix A.

These new Principles approach the issue of Co-management in a much more fundamental manner. They explicitly recognize the dual interests in effective travel, and in neighbourhood protection. They also restore the concept of a dispute-resolution process to deal with disagreements, as originally approved by the GVRD Board. These Principles are the result of the combined efforts of all involved, and are recommended for adoption by Council and to be forwarded to the GVTA Board, as the basis for an understanding on the designation of Major Roads.

Because of the very tight schedule leading up to April 1st, 1999, it is recommended that Council give conditional consent to designation of the major roads in Vancouver. This consent would not take effect unless and until the GVTA Board officially adopts the Principles of Co-management. The proposed network was originally reported to Council on December 8, 1998. That report presented two different methods to deal with streets in the downtown area, as well as motions on funding of remedial measures, restricted hours for trucks, and the issue of roadway standards. Those proposals are attached as Appendix B, and represented in the recommendations of this report.

There will continue to be development of the processes and relationships relating to Major Roads, following April 1st. The program of developing a strategic transportation plan will be pursued. The standards for maintenance, etc., of the roads will still need to be prepared, as well as developing an understanding of the monitoring processes, and how to deal with roads that do not comply with the standards. Completion of these steps is expected to take up to two years.

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APPENDIX A

PRINCIPLES FOR THE CO-MANAGEMENT OF
MAJOR ROADS IN VANCOUVER

Therefore:

1. The GVTA and the municipalities will manage the major road network to ensure effective movement of people and goods, while protecting the interests of neighbourhoods on and adjacent to major roads.

2. The GVTA will develop a strategic transportation plan in accordance with the GVTA Act, in consultation with municipalities, sector interests, and the general public, setting out corridor targets for all travel modes and establishing an acceptable level of service. The plan will include techniques which may be applied to manage travel, and will provide for monitoring against targets. Consistent with the Livable Region Strategic Plan, and Municipal/Regional Context Statements, the plan will give priority to goods movement, and to travel by transit, bicycle, and walking over travel by automobile.

3. Increases in vehicle capacity will not be developed without the approval of the municipality.

4. The plan will be reviewed and revised every three years, and the relevant targets and management techniques will be adjusted as circumstances require to balance the need for movement of people and goods, and impacts on local neighbourhoods on and near major roads.

5. A mediation and dispute resolution process will be developed for application if a municipality and the GVTA disagree on targets, management techniques, and neighbourhood protective measures in the plan.

APPENDIX B

MOTIONS FROM COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 1998

“A. THAT the City consent to the designation of the streets indicated on Figure 2 (and listed in Appendix C) by the Grater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) to form part of the Major Road Network (MRN) subject to receipt by the City of a commitment from the Province to amend section 21(1) of the Greater Vancouver Authority Act to eliminate the uncertainty created by the use of the word “limit”, and further THAT the GVTA be advised that the City may request the GVTA to revise designations of streets in the MRN in the downtown peninsula, as a result of the Downtown Transportation Plan;

B. THAT the City consent to the designation of the streets indicated on Figure 2 (and listed in Appendix C) except for Seymour, Howe, Nelson and Smithe Streets, to form part of the Major Road Network (MRN) subject to receipt by the City of a commitment from the Province to amend section 21(1) of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Act to eliminate the uncertainty created by the use of the word “limit”;

RECOMMENDATION

C. THAT Council adopt a principle that a portion of annual savings from the GVTA funding for regular maintenance be allocated to supplement existing budgets for improving pedestrian safety, comfort and convenience; reducing speeds; and other actions to address traffic impacts of the MRN;

D. THAT the GVTA be advised that the City may request the GVTA to consent to an amendment of City by-laws to restrict the hours of operation of trucks on some streets in accordance with the City Transportation Plan;

E. THAT Council express its concern over the inclusion of standards of management and operation in section 19 and 20(a) of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Act, and instruct staff to meet with GVTA to achieve greater clarity and definition of these terms, and seek legislative amendments if necessary.”

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